“It is priceless to be able to enjoy all of this with him!”
– Newman University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Potter on traveling to New Orleans to witness his son’s first PGA Tour event.
Newman University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Potter knows plenty about success. The veteran basketball coach has led the Jets to more than 300 victories and several championships.
But this week Potter is a bit of a rookie as he plays the role of dad in the unfamiliar world of big-time professional golf, as he travels to Louisiana to watch his son, Zechariah, live out a lifelong dream. Thanks to winning a qualifying tournament, the younger Potter earned a spot in his first PGA Tour event, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans Open, April 23-26.
Zac teed off at 1:50 p.m. April 23 at the TPC Louisiana Course in .
“We were elated when we found out he had qualified,” Potter said.” Words can’t describe my emotions for Zac. He has worked extremely hard to get to this point.”
Making it to the major tour is challenging. But because of his strong showing during the PGA Qualifying School in December, Zac received a berth in the April 20 qualifying tournament and took advantage of his opportunity by tying for first place. The winning effort secured his spot in the Zurich Classic.
“It is priceless to be able to enjoy all of this with him! We also found a way to get my wife (Shayla) to New Orleans,” Potter said. “It’s an incredible feeling to see our son playing against the best golfers in the world. We have been truly blessed.”
“I imagine we will both be fairly nervous,” Potter added. “Our prayer is that he settles in and plays to his potential.”
See local media coverage of Potter and follow him on Twitter @ZacPotter15
